Hurricane Ian: Tropical Storm Targets Georgia Coast

SAVANNAH, GA — "You cannot underestimate this storm," Gov. Brian Kemp warned residents Thursday as he shared an update on Hurricane Ian from the Savannah Airport.

Ian made landfall Wednesday on the west coast of Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. It is expected to enter Georgia early Friday.

State officials said it downgraded overnight to a tropical storm and should return to the Atlantic Ocean.

James C. Stallings, Georgia's emergency management and homeland security director, said Ian is anticipated to move east-northeast toward Beaufort and Charleston, South Carolina, "but that does not remove the impacts of the storm."

Stallings said Ian's eye will most likely miss Georgia, but storm surge is still a concern for the state.

According to the National Hurricane Center, "there is a danger of life-threatening storm surge today through Friday along the coasts of northeast Florida, Georgia and South Carolina."

The NHC reported "hurricane conditions" could exist along the coasts of northeast Florida, Georgia and South Carolina where there are hurricane watches in effect.

Kemp said there is still time to prepare.

"You should not underestimate this storm," he said. "You should take this seriously to protect your family and try to protect whatever belongings that you can. You still have time to be able to do that. I would not delay in making those decisions."

>>>See full coverage of Hurricane Ian.

Coastal Bryan, Chatham, Colleton, Jasper, Liberty and McIntosh counties were all under a storm surge warning, tropical storm warning and hurricane watch Thursday.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Dorchester, Effingham, Hampton, inland Colleton and Long counties.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for Allendale, Bulloch, Candler, Evans, Jenkins, Screven and Tattnall.

Kemp said officials are worried about flooding but do not see an immediate reason to order evacuations. He suggested people move further inland or to higher ground.

Stallings encouraged people in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding to take precaution. He said high tides and coastal flooding combined can create beach erosion.

Aside from flooding, state officials said they foresee a loss of power though they emphasized utility companies are ready.

But, Stallings said there could be a delay in restoring power and giving people access to emergency services.

"As long as there are tropical storm winds, we can't put people up in bucket trucks to restore power," he said. "It's also difficult for our first responders to get in there while the water is still rising."

Kemp asked people to not walk in wet areas where there are downed power lines, and instead, he asked them to contact their utility company.

Georgia's state of emergency took effect 7 a.m. Thursday, with the State Operations Center now at a full-scale Level 1 activation. The order is set to expire at 11:59 p.m., Oct. 28.

Chatham County's operations center is on day two of activation, local officials said.

Bryan County declared a state of emergency Wednesday. Schools in Bryan were closed Thursday and will remain closed Friday, the county said in a Facebook post.

As of Thursday morning, the railroad tracks on Highway 144 near Richmond Hill City Hall were closed, Bryan County officials said, adding the most significant concern for the county is flooding for areas east of Interstate 95.

Griff Lynch, executive director of Georgia Ports Authority, said terminal operations, truck gates and rail operations will be ongoing until 6 p.m. Thursday.

"All vessels were cleared of the births yesterday at about 6 p.m., and that applies to both Brunswick and Savannah," Lynch said.

He said a decision will be made Thursday afternoon about Friday operations once he speaks to the Coast Guard.

The Savannah Airport is currently open and operational, Kemp said.

The Talmadge Memorial Bridge in Savannah currently remains open though the Sidney Lanier Bridge in Glynn County closed at 9 a.m. Thursday. Kemp said he is unsure when Sidney Lanier will reopen.

According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Houlihan Bridge is closed to maritime traffic but remains open to vehicular traffic.

The United States Postal Service temporarily suspended Wednesday all operations at the Sapelo Island Post Office due to Ian.

"We apologize for any inconvenience customers may experience, but the safety of both customers and employees is our highest priority. We will continue to monitor weather conditions and restore service when it is safe to do so," the postal service announced.

While preparing for Ian's arrival, Kemp said Georgia has also been gearing up this week to receive evacuees. He noted the state parks are open.

The Atlanta Motor Speedway announced Wednesday it is opening its campgrounds to evacuees.

Kemp said Ian has been extremely difficult to predict.

"It's been devastating in Florida, and we should not take anything for granted here," he said.

He said it is better to be "over-prepared" in hopes Ian "under-delivers."

Kemp said he has not been notified of any possible price gouging and said Georgia has not had any shortages on gas and other resources this week.